Scruff Of The Neck Presents ... - 20160509
- Published in Columns
For your entertainment during another working week here's five more hand-picked delights from the Scruff Of The Neck stable.
The Elephant Trees – 'Up'
Kicking things off this week are Leeds four-piece The Elephant Trees. Relatively young in the scheme of things, they're making a ballsy brand of indie pop that's going to take them places. Look past the DIY production on 'Up' and you'll find one of the strongest demo tracks around. Its the semi-acoustic simplicity, coupled with a dual vocal and a deft ear for melody that's meant it's been stuck in my head for weeks.
Clench – 'Quiver'
Hailing from Glasgow, Clench relish in atmospheric alt rock that's both rich and melodic. 'Quiver' is built around an almost effortless balancing of dynamics; lilting verses are juxtaposed with an explosively cathartic chorus, which in turn, is dexterously reigned in before bursting forth once again.
Harper Roots – 'Surrounded By Angels'
Sticking with alt-rock but this time at the other end of the spectrum, Manc upstarts Harper Roots are all spiky riffs and dual vocal lines. 'Surrounded By Angels' draws its influence from the likes of Paramore, and is back-boned by a chugging chord progression whilst harbouring plenty of attitude.
Park Fires – 'Opal Dream'
Stylish and sultry, the second band to come from West Yorkshire this week are Park Fires. Leaning more towards the poppier side of things, 'Opal Dreams' is three and a half minutes of atmospheric and understated electro pop that sets the duo apart from their contemporaries. A little more radio-friendly than our usual fare but certainly no less special.
Loco Ono – 'Sunny Day'
Aside from having one of the best band names I've seen in ages, London's Loco Ono embody the lo-fi aesthetic perfectly. Combining some of the greatest genres of the '90s in to one multi-faceted beast, the bad combine garage, grunge and shoegaze in order to create something truly imposing. 'Sunny Day' is a prime example; huge walls of noise are juxtaposed effortlessly against a female vocal, providing some much needed weightlessness to the track's imposing noise.